Swiss Committee on Polar and High Altitude Research

The Swiss Committee on Polar and High Altitude Research is a committee of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, supported by the Platform Science and Policy of the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT). The committee’s main objectives are:

To provide the legal body to represent Switzerland in international committees on polar and high altitude research such as the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), the Expert Group in Human Biology and Medicine of the SCAR, and the International Society for Mountain Medicine. Furthermore, the committee plays an active role in promoting the change of status of Switzerland from non-voting to voting member of the Antarctic Treaty.

To promote the career of young outstanding scientists in the fields of Polar and High Altitude research by the attribution of the De Quervain Prize. The attribution of this prize takes place during an annual symposium organized by the committee.

To be active in early recognition of research needs and issues in the thematic fields concerning the committee.

To sensitize the society to polar and high altitude research issues by the means of the symposium organized for the attribution of the De Quervain Prize.

To stimulate the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary exchange and cooperation in polar and high altitude issues concerning research, international law and society.